Both players were linked with United earlier this week, with Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claiming on Twitter that United had seen a €35million offer for Otamendi rejected by Valencia and that they were interested in Villarreal’s Paulista.

But now the Star claims United officials have moved to deny claims they are in contact with Villarreal and that no move for Otamendi is on the cards.

United are in desperate need of quality defensive reinforcements and Otamendi in particular could be classed in that category.

The 26-year-old previously played for FC Porto, where he made 122 appearances, and he has featured 21 times so far for Valencia.

Paulista is two years younger but he is earning quite a reputation in the game, following 49 appearances for the Spanish club.

With the January transfer window drawing to a close one wonders if United will move for a new centre-back in what remains of it, or if manager Louis van Gaal will wait to improve his back-line in the summer when he will have considerably more time to do so.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.